Fire-alarm apparatus



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. C. SHAFFER.

PIRE ALARM APPARATUS. No. 461,371. Patented Oct. 13,1891.

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AUNrrnn STATES APATENT @Erica IVILLIAM CASS SHAFFER, OF MILVAUKE,VISCONSIN.

FlRE-ALARM APPARATUS.l

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 461,371, dated October13, 1891.k Application led December 14, 1888.. Serial No. 293,639. (Nomodel.)

.To LZZ whom, it may concern:

Beit known that I, WILLIAM Cass SHAF- FER, of Milwaukee, in the count-yof Milwaukee and Stat-e of Xlliscoiisin, have invented certain -new anduseful Improvements in Automatic Fire-Alarm Apparatus; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full, clear, and'eXact description otthe invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which itpertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification. A The objects of my inventionare in au automatic fire-alarm apparatus to operate the break-wheels byan electric current, to operate a number of break-wheels connectedsystem by a single battery, to actuate the break-wheel by a regularconstant power, to automatically ground the Wire and close the circuit,operating any one of the break-wheels while it sends in a completesignal, &c.

In the accompanying drawings like letters designate the same parts inboth figures.

Figure l represents, partly in diagram, a view of my improved apparatus,and Fig. 2 is a like View ot a modiiied form and arrangement of theapparatus.

Referring to Fig. l, j j represents a normally-closed circuit; J, themain central b attery connected therewith, andL a relay-inagnet placedin said circuit, and Z its armature arranged to close a circuiti',operated by an independent battery, and work a gong or other suitablealarm Z2. Between the battery J and magnet L a ground connection jg ismade. The main battery and alarm are located in some convenient centralstation, and with the main circuit .7' j are connected any desirednumber of automatic signaling devices -X Y, arranged to be battery J.Each signaling device consists of a circuit-breaker K, with which theWiresjj of the main circuit are connected, a breakwheel A and actuatingmechanism operated byan electromagnctE, the windings of which areconnected with the circuit-breaker and by a wire e with acircuit-closing thermostat or through an annunciator G with a number ofsuch thermostats F F, located at various points in the same or differentbuildings and constituting' au operated by the central grounded on oneside, as at ff. Each circuit-breaker K is Acomposed of two insulatedterminals or binding-posts 7c lo', to which the wiresjj, leading to thebattery .I on the one hand and to the magnet L on the other hand, areattached, a contact-point or screw k2 in connection with thebinding-post 71:,and a metallic spring 7c3 in connection with thebinding-post lo and resting normally against the screw k2. Eachbreak-wheel A is provided with a circularseries of pinsgrouped innumbers to designate the station to which it belongs and arranged toengage the spring 7c3 Ot' the circuit breaker and intermittingly movethesame ont of contact with the screw k2. Two ratchet-wheels B and C, withteeth inclined in opposite directions, are mounted on each break-Wheelshatt c. lever D, provided with a pawl d, Working with the ratchet-wheelB, and a tooth orprojection cl2, working with the ratchet-wheel C toprevent the passage ot' more than one tooth to each vibration of saidlever, is fulcrumed at one end to a suitableinsulated support and isconnected at the other end with a fixed support by a spring d ofsufficient strength to actuate the break-wheel A. To this lever isattached the armature e of the magnet E and a spring c', which bearsnormally when said lever is at rest constantly against a contactscrewc2, connected through its insulated support c3 by a wire 104 with thebinding-post /n of the circuit-breaker. A wire. c2 connects the magnet Ewith the lever. The ratchet- Wheel C is provided with a pin c, whichengages thefree end of spring` c and forces the same out of contact withthe screw c2 at the end of each complete revolution of the breakwheel,thereby breaking th-e circuit by which the actuating-magnet E isenergized and arresting the further movement ot' the breakwheel.

To reset the device in readiness to send in another alarm, the pin c ismoved out of engagement with said spring c by turning the A vibrating'break-.wheel and the associated ratchet-wheels B C into the position inwhich theyare shown at the left of Fig. 1 in the device designated X. y

I may provide the apparatus with switches, as f, by which the circuitmay be manually closed through the magnet E of either signaling deviceand an alarm sent in independently of the thermostats F F. To insure thecompletion of a single signal by abreak-wheel A, Whenever the saine isstarted by a momenttary closing of the circuit through the magnet E,Iprovide a device by which a ground connection through said magnet willbe made when the break-wheel is' turned slightly and will be maintainedwhen bnce made till a coinplete signal has been sent in. 'lhis deviceconsists of a disk H, secured on the breakwheel shaft a and havingnotches or breaks in its periphery adjacent to and corresponding withthe spaces between the groups of pins a a. It has an insulatedconnection e3 with the windings of the magnet E, and a spring h, havinga ground connection h', bears on the periphery of said disk H betweenthe breaks therein and maintains 4a closed circuit through said magnet,while one group of pins a a passes the spring k3, whether a closedcircuit is maintained through a thermostat or not. Vhen this device isemployed, I may dispense with the stop-pin c, in which case thebreak-wheel will continue to rotate as long as connection is maintainedthrough the thermostat, the circuit th rough the spring h being brokenwhile it passes the breaks in the periphery of the disk H.

The foregoing apparatus operates as follows: Suppose, for example, aground connection to be made through one of the thermostats 'F inconnection with the device at station Y. The current will then passlfrom the main battery J to the left through the wire j, through thecircuit-breaker K of station X, through wires j kt, screw c2, lever D,wire c2, through the windings Aof magnet E, thence through wire e andthe closed thermostat to the ground. The magnet E thus energizedattracts its armature, swings lever D to the left, temporarily breaksthe circuit between the spring c and screw c2, and

strains the spring d', which recoil when the current is broken, swingslever D to the right, and by means of pawl d turns the ratchetwheel Bone tooth and the break-wheel A correspondingly. In this manner, so longas the circuit is closed through the thermostat., the lever D is rapidlyvibrated, thereby turning the break-wheel A in thel direction indicatedby the arrow. As the pins a a engage and pass the spring 7c3, thecircuit through magnet L is intermittingly broken between saidy springand the screw k2, the circuit Z correspondingly closed, and a signalgiven by the alarm l2, corresponding to the number of pins a a in eachgroup, being in this case 42. As the break-wheel A completes arevolution, the pin c engages the spring c and breaks the circuitthrough magnet E and arrests the further movement of the signalingmechan- V ism, which requires to be reset by hand before itwill be againset in motion by the closing of the thermostat. As` the several groupsof pins a a pass the spring 7c3 of the circuit-breaker K, the disk Hengages the spring 7L and establishes an independent ground connectionthrough the windings of the actuating-magnet E and insures the sendingin of a complete signal. The relay-magnet L is made long, so as not .tobe affected by the temporary interruptions of its exciting current, dueto the rapid vibrations of the lever D.

Referring to Fig. 2, illustrating a modification of the apparatus inwhich the breakwheels are geared up so as to vmake a number ofrevolutions to'each revolution of the ratchet-wheels and in which theoperation of any signaling device automatically cuts out those ofthe'stations beyond it, WV and Z represent signaling devices atdifferent stations connected with the main normallyclosed circuit j j',and arranged to be operated by a single central battery J. The wires jjof the mainr circuit are connected with the parts 0 `o ofcircuit-breakers O O of the several signaling devices. A A arebreakwheels provided on their peripheries with teeth arranged in groupscorresponding with the numbers of the stations to which they severallybelong. Upon the break wheel shafts are mounted pinions n n, which meshwith and are driven by the larger gears N N on thel ratchet-wheelshafts. Two ratchetwheels, like those hereinbefore described, are fixedside by`side upon the same shaft and are arranged to be intermittinglyrotated by the vibration of the lever D. The levers D, like thosepreviously described, .are swung in one direction by the action ofelectro-.magnets E and in the reverse direction by springs d. Thewindings of the magnets E are connected through wires e with thermostatshaving`ground connections,in the manner previousl y described,and bywires e2 with springs c4, which normally bear against contact-pieces c5,connected by wires o3 with the lnain circuit. To the levers D areattached springs cl3, which, when said levers are drawn toward themagnets E, bear against screws e4, connected with the wires e', andtemporarily shunt the current passing through the wires e through thelevers D around the magnets E.` The said magnets, being thusdemagnetized, permit the levers D to be swung away from them bytherecoil of the springs d. The wiresv 03 are connected with the coils ofelectro-m aguets M M, the spring-actuated armatures of which restnormally against the contact-pieces m', connected by wires 02 with themain circuit.

The modified form of my apparatus shown in Fig. 2 operates as follows:Suppose, forexample,a ground connection tobe made through one of thethermostats at station W. The cur- IOO IIO

rent will ass through wi-re e magnet E C 7 b i the left, and carries thespring d3 into contact with the screw e4, and thereby diverts thecurrent from and demagnetizes said magnet.

The spring d then moves lever D to the right,`

` current, passing through the magnet M, energlzes the same and attractsthe armature m, moving it away from the contact-piece m. The circuitthrough magnet L is thereby opened as soon as the signaling mechanism isstarted. The gear N, meshing 'with the pinion n, turns the break-wheelA', the teeth of which, passing the spring o, move the same against thecontact-piece 0 of the circuitbreaker and temporarily close the circuitthrough the magnet L, by which the alarm is given. In this arrangementof the apparatus the alarm is given by first opening a normallyclosedcircuit and then temporarily closing the same by means of the breakwheel. Vhile the signaling' mechanism at station lV is in operation theother stations beyond or farther trom the battery will be cutout of themain circuit by the magnet M, thereby avoiding t-he Yconfusion whichwould arise from the simultaneous operation o t the signaling mechanismof two or more stations. Itwill be observed that the circuit by whichthe breakwheel is operated passes alternately through the magnet E andlever D as the latter vibrates, but is continuons through the wire o3and magnet M. I employ with this modified arrangement of my apparatus adevice like that previously described for maintaining' a groundconnection with magnets E independently of the thermostats by which theinitial movement ot' the signaling mechanism is produced. This deviceconsists of a disk H', iiXed on the break-wheel shaft and having raised`portions of its 'periphery corresponding with and adjacent to thegroups of teeth on the break\'heel and notches orl breaks between saidraised portions corresponding with the spaces between said groups ofteeth; a spring h4, connected by a wire h2 with the ground and arrangedto bear against the raised portions of disk H when the latter isrotated, and a wire connecting' said disk with the ground-terminal ofthewindings of magnet E. 'lhe signaling mechanism may be arranged, it'preferred, to be operated in open circuit.

I claiml. In automatic electric signaling apparatus, the combination ota main circuit supplied with current from a. single source or batterywhich has a ground connection on one side, a branch circuit having aground connection and a connection with the main circuit which suppliesit with current, said branch being provided with suitablecircuitcontrolling devices, and signal-transmitting mechanism comprisinga break-wheel, a contact-piece by which the circuit is alternatelybroken and closed when the break-wheel is trolling Iturned, anelectro-magnet havingl its wind-` ings in said branch, and mechanismconnecting the armature of said magnet with the break-wheel and arrangedto actuate the same, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In automatic electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a maincircuit supplied with current from a single source or battery andgrounded on one side of said battery, a number of signaling deviceslocated at different points in said circuit and each comprising abreak-wheel, an electro-magnet the armature ot which is connected withand arranged to operate said break-wheel by suitable mechanism, and abranch circuit connected with the main circuity and having a groundconnection and a suitable circuit-condevice K or devices, independentground connections for each of said magnets, and switches operated bythe signal-transmitting mechanism to close the circuit through saidindependentgroundconneclions and the windings of the magnets associatedtherewith.

substantially as and for forth.

In automatic electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a maincircuit supthe purposes set plied with current from a single source orbattery and having a ground connection on one side ofthe battery, one ormore branch circuits connected-at one end with said main circuit, fromwhich-it is supplied with current, and havingaground connection,signaltransmitting mechanism in connection with each branch circuit,comprising a breakwheel, a contact-piece for opening and closing themain circuit when the break-wheel is turned, and an electro-magnethaving its windings in the branch circuit and its armature connectedwith and arranged to operate said break-wheehand a circuit-breakerarranged to be operated by the signal-transmitting mechanism and arrestthe breakwheel at a certain point in its movement, substantially as andfor the purposes set forth.

' 4. In automatic electric signaling apparatus, the combination of abreak-wheel, a contact-piece .working therewith to alternately open andclose the circuit, a ratchet-wheel connected with the break-wheel, aspring-actuated pawl engaging with said. ratchet-wheel, and anelectro-magnet, the armature of which is connected with said pawl, so asto strain the spring when the magnet is energized, said spring acting inthe opposite direction through the pawl to turn thebreak-wheel,substan-r tially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. ln automatic electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a maincircuit supplied with current'from a single source or battery and havinga ground connection on one side of the battery, signal-transmittingmechanism comprising a break-Wheel, a contact-piece working therewith toopen and close the circuit for the transmission of predeterminedsignals, an electro-magnet, the

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armature of which is connected with and arranged to turn saidbreak-wheel through suitable mechanism, the windings of said magnetbeing in a branch connected with the main circuit and with the ground,circuit-controlling devices, such as thermostats, in said branch, awheel movable with the breakwheel and having electrical contact-surfacescorresponding with the groups of teeth on the break-wheel, and a fixedcontact-piece working with said wheel and having a ground con-- nection,whereby the circuit is maintained through the actuating-magnet while agroup of teeth on the break-wheel passes the contact-piece, with whichthev work to break and close the circuit, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

6. In automatic electric signaling apparatus, the combination of abreak-wheel, a contact-piece working therewith to open and close thecircuit, an electro-magnet, the armature of which is connected with andarranged to turn said break-wheel through suitable mechanism, a springacting on said armature in opposition to the magnet, a shunt around thewindings of said magnet, and a contact-piece movable synchronously withthe vibrating armature and operating to switch the current alternatelythrough the windings of the magnet .and said shunt, substantially as andfor the purposes set forth.

'7. ln automatic electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a maincircuit supplied with current from a single source vor battery, a numberof branch circuits connected therewith and provided with circuit.-controlling devices, and signal-transmitting mechanism, thesignal-transmitting mechanism comprisinga break-wheel, acontact-pieceworking therewith to open and close the'main circuit for thetransmission of `a predetermined signal, and an electro-magnet in theassociated branch circuit, having a vibrating armature connected withand arranged to turn said break-wheel through suitable mechanism, aswitch in the main circuit, and an associated magnet in each branchcircuit arranged to operate said switch to cutout from the main line thesignal-transmitting mechanism of stations beyond. substantially as andfor-the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

VILLAM CASS SHAFFER.

W itnesses:

E. H. BOTTUM, F. C. VINKLER.

